Fusible element for electric fixture sockets



June 16, 1931. J, c o 1,810,071

FUSIBLE ELEMENT FOE ELECTRIC FIXTURE SOCKETS Filed April 16, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor q/hw Go 77/7.

A tiomey June 16, I931. J. ClOT"l'/ 1,810,071

FUSIBLE ELEMENT FOR ELECTRIC FIXTURE SOCKETS Filed April 16. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor l7 LfOH/V C/o 7-7-14.

Patented June 16, 1931 unit an s-r AT ES.

PATENT oFFicE \VJOIV'IN (norm, on NEW YORK; N. Y.

EU'SIBLEELEMENT non minc' rnic rrx runn sooxn'rs" Applicationfiled April 16, 1929. Serial No. 355,450.

when blown out will cut off the circuit'to all ofthe said outlets, making it necessary for the burned out plug to be located and renewed, j which in allcircumstances, is a diflicult'thing to do. Especially is this a source of'annoyance' when'the-fuse boxesare located adjm' cent the ceilingsor in tlie 'cellar or basementof" the building; i

25 The nature ofmy particular fusible element' is 'such as to enable are be disposed within thevariousoutlet sockets within the building, and whenever the-particular ele- -ment within-the particular socket becomes 30 burned out',,it*' may be immediately renewed and if an additional fusible element is not at hand, the other linestothta remaining sockets can-be'employed, which is not now the case in the sole use of the conventional 5* fuse plug boxes, as I have previously stated,

usually serve several outlet fixtures.

An important object of this invention is to provide a fusible element that is extremely simple and inexpensive of construction, and

4othat may be merely dropped into the outlet socket after which the bulb, plug or the like may be arranged therein.

In the drawings wherein I have illustrated several embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 is a view partially in elevation, and partially in longitudinal cross section of a conventional outlet socket within which is arranged one of the fusible elements constructed in accordance with the present in 50" vention.

It is Well" known that usually several out'-' let sockets are served by one fuse plug, which Figure 2 is a detailed longitudinal section through this'fusible element.

Figure 3 is a plan view thereof.

Figure 4 is a detailed longitudinal section through a modified type of fusible element.

Figure 5 is atop plan view thereof.

Figure 6is a detailedlongitudinal section througha stillfurther modification of a fusible element, and

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section through yet another embodiment of the present in vention. v

First having reference to Figures 1,2 and 3, the fusible element illustratedtherein consists of a disk 5 offiber or othernon-conducting material formed centrally with an open ing 6. Arranged diagonally through this opening (iris a strip of fusible material 7 having' a weakened point 8 intermediate the ends thereof; The opposite ends of this fusible strip 7 are so bent as to be disposed horizontally within depressions at opposite sides of the disk 5, as clearly illustrated in Figure 2. After the fusible element 7 has been arrangedwith respect to the disk 5 as illustrated, cover caps 9-" 9 oflsuitable metal are arrangedupon the'opposite' faces of the disk, e'achof the tops as well as the opposite ends of the fusible elements as well as the disk 5 being. provided with registering openings, whereby the respective caps'and ends of the fusible strip"? may be secured tothe disk, through the medium of screws 1010.

In order to prevent the caps-9 from rotating, each thereof is formed at its edge at a point spaced from its respective screw 10 with an inwardly extending tongue 11, for: engagement Within an .opening'12 in the disk 5, see'Figure3. Y

Obviously, the fusible elemen't so 0onstruct'ed may be dropped within the convene I tional outlet socket A, as'illustrated inFigure '1, so that when the bulb, plug or the like is arrangedwithin the socket, the'circuit will be completed, through'th'e fusible element as is obvious. r

Should the'fusible' strip 7 burn out under an overlbad through theline, the entire "fuse may be removed and a new one inserted in its place.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the same consists of a disk 5 of fiber or suitable non-conducting material having a central opening or slot 6. Arranged upon the opposite sides of the said disk at the center thereof are metallic plates 9-9, each of which is formed at opposed points with inwardly extending tongues 11 for engagement within openings in the disk, so as to prevent the turning of the said plates. These plates are formed centrally with registering openings, and adapted to be passed therethrough and through the slots 6' is a length of fusible metal 7, having a head upon one end and being longitudinally split at its opposite end, so that when this end passed through the opening in the adjacent plate 9', the sides thereof can be bent laterally as at bb, to secure the plates and fusible strip in association with the disk 5.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 6, the device consists of a metallic shell 13, the opposed end of which is of re duced formation and is formed with external screw threads, in order that said lower end may be threaded within a conventional fixture socket. The other end of the shell is provided with internal threads and is of a diameter equivalent to the diameter of the conventional fixture receiving socket, in order that a lamp or the like may be screwed therein, as clearly illustrated. Between the upper and lower ends of this shell the same is formed internally with a shoulder 14 in order to support a fiber disk 15 equipped centrally with a contact button 16 that extends through the disk, and that is provided at its lower end with a spring clip 17'.

Removably disposed through an opening in the lower end of this shell 13 is a springclip 18, said clips 17 and 18 adapted for receiving the opposite ends of a length of fusible metal 19.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Figure 7, the same consists of a fiber disk 19 having a central opening 20 in order to enable a length of fusible metal 21 to be e1:- tended therethrough. Arranged upon opposite sides of the disk at the center thereof are metal disks 2222, formed centrally with openings in order that the opposite ends of the length of fusible metal 21 may be passed therethrough. After being passed through these openings, the ends of the fusible strip are turned laterally and se cured to the metal disk by solder as disclosed.

I11 view of the foregoing description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent that I have provided several embodiments of a fusible element for electric fixture sockets, each of which is well adapted for all of the purposes heretofore designated, and even though I have herein shown and described the invention as consisting of certain structural features in each embodiment, it is nevertheless to be understood that some changes may be had therefrom without affecting the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let texts-Patent, is:

1. In a fusible element for electric fixture sockets, a disk of nonconductin, material. having a centrally disposed opening" and a plurality of openings disposed between the central opening and the outer peripheral edge of the disk, said disk adapted for insertion in the fixture socket, metallic plates detachably secured on opposite sides of the disk over the central opening, annular tongues formed integrally on the peripheral edge of each plate and projecting into the second named openings and a fusible metallic strip extending through the central openins; and having its opposite ends in contact with the plates, and fastening elements passinp; through the plates and ends of said fusible metallic strip and into said disk.

2. In a fusible element for electric fixture sockets, a disk of non-conductingmaterial adapted for insertion in the fixture socket and having a centrally disposed opening and being further provided with a groove on each of its sides communicating with the central opening on diametrically opposite sides thereof, said disk being still further provided with threaded bores spaced from the central opening and communicating; with the groove. :1 fusible metallic strip extending diagonally through the central opening and having angular end portions disposed in the groove, metallic plates mounted on the opposite side of the disk over the central opening therein and in contact with the adjacent end of the fusible strip, securing; elements extending; through the plate and the end portion of the fusible strip and threaded into the bores.

In testimony whereof I. my signature.

JOHN CIOTTA. 

